Mixing Energy Drinks With Alcohol May Harm Brain Function
Experiments with rats have shown that mixing energy drinks with alcohol can cause long-term problems with cognitive function, raising concerns about the drinking habits of young adults.
OR study was conducted by a team from the University of Cagliari and the University of Catania in Italy, with groups of adolescent male rats that were given alcohol, energy drinks, or a mixture of both. They then used several standard experiments to assess cognitive function — including brain scans and behavioral tests — for up to 53 days after consumption.
Tests revealed that animals that consumed the mixed drinks showed long-lasting changes in their ability to learn and remember, as well as changes in the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory.
“Little is known about whether the combined consumption of these beverages during adolescence may have long-term effects on central function, raising the question of the risks of this habit for brain maturation,” the researchers write in their published paper.
Of course, both alcohol and energy drinks are popular among young people for a variety of reasons – from partying to late-night study sessions – and the implications of this study are that these habits could be causing long-term harm.
In particular, it appears that the plasticity of the hippocampus may be affected, impairing the brain’s ability to adapt and change in response to new information and demands. It is a crucial part of normal brain function.
Although the mice consuming alcohol and energy drinks initially showed increases in some brain parameters and functions – including an increase in a protein that guides the growth of neurons – these benefits did not last, and over time and into adulthood, there was actually a decline in brain capacity.
“Our results show that the consumption of alcohol mixed with energy drinks during the peri-adolescent period produces adaptive changes in the hippocampus at the electrophysiological and molecular levels, associated with behavioral changes, which are already detectable in adolescence and persist into adulthood,” the researchers write.
André Forastieri is a journalist and entrepreneur, founder of Homework and the content and connections agency Compasso, as well as a mentor to professionals and executives. Find out more aboutandreforastieri.com.br
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
